Review Summary: I missed this.
Power metal releases are difficult to keep up with because the releases are ***ing infinite. It’s like trying to catch up with a speeding Ferrari on foot. Say what you will about the forced vibrato and cheese of the “nerdy” genre. Without the added drama you receive flat, boring albums. The genre is what it is.
Iron Will is the result of a super group dubbed The Ferrymen, featuring the vocalist from the band Rainbow. I don’t really care if a band is a super group, only if the music is compelling, and it’s rather magnetic this time. An OG style is immediately observable, though that goes without saying — Rainbow is an old band. Dripping with powerful self harmonies, and loudly ripped guitar chords, I would’ve loved to hear this album on a tape. This release basically shoved me in a time machine and turned it on. I’m not that old, but an old school experience can bring a vibe to the table that modern stuff can’t touch upon. The hair metal guitar tone and Earthy vocals are just great. It feels like a live performance versus something made on the computer and edited to death. There was legit care put into the general atmosphere, and the live type of sound enhances tones.
There’s oodles of fun in this album, with crazy synthesizer spazzes of melodic proportions and very solid drumming. While the guitar work occasionally gets predictable, there’s enough cool drumming to keep the rhythms engaging. Lots of skilled drum fills and occasional sci-fi feels from synthetic keyboards give the magic wizard power metal experience. It’s exactly what you want from a power metal album if you crave the cheese. Still, the album isn’t *that* cheesy. I wouldn’t call this a default, or factory format album, for there’s loads of of feeling put into this album. This release is lined with passionate singing and absolutely stunning guitar solos, among other things.
I was a little bored of power metal this year, but this album brings me back to the right place. Powerful choruses while singing “mother unholy” and “dust to dust” repeatedly is so fun. I can’t say how this album compares to other albums this year, but I don’t care. If you’re looking for a solid meal with gleaming guitars and a captivating vocal performance look no further. Plus that album art? Now we’re cooking.
